French Country Design – A Primer

If you’re new to French Country Design, but love the look, we’ve got a few simple tips to get you started. The first step is to think of Provence and the French countryside, places where you’re sure to see bright sunshine and lavender fields. Nowhere is this more obvious than on French aprons or tablecloths, which are perfect displays of French Country design. Think rustic farmhouses, old-world and welcoming. Think contrasting textures – flooring of stone, clay or brick, pale plaster walls, ceilings punctuated with dark rough wood beams. Think warm and casual.

And think color. The colors used for French Country decorating come from the entire color wheel and are based on the gardens of Provence. Sunny yellow, soft gold, cobalt blue and soft ocean tones, fiery red and burnt rust, bright grass green and dark hunter green – each has a place in this very versatile decorating style. Colorful Provencal printed fabrics are best set off against light-toned natural walls and floors and rustic furnishings.

The look fits well into any home, whether you’re thinking country home or city apartment. The French Country style of decorating, with its relaxed but inviting feel fits beautifully into any decorating scheme.

Start by admiring the look in these photos we’ve borrowed from House Beautiful. Feel inspired? We’ll have more specific ideas right here in the future. And we’d love to hear how you’ve integrated the French Country Look into your own home.